Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1887-12-07
JAPANESE LOyE-STORY.

At one end Of the long street forming
tie village Of MOrIOka, IN Japan. stood
The low matched cottage In which the
sisters O ~uba and Niya lived with a
widowed aunt. Their father had fal-
len in battle, and his wife soon followed
him 90 the grave, committing her chill
dreu 90 the care of their only remaining
relative. O-Suba, the eldest, was a
brunette, with sparkling black eyes
and white teeth that shone between
full, ruIdy lips. She WAS taller than
Niya. who was fair and slight, with
mild blue ewes and soft voice.
For over u year O'SuOa had been
betroyhed to kumpeI, the son of
uelghborug farmer. Their parents had
arranged the matter. Though it was
not made formal by an exchange of
presents, the young people regarded 1t
as settled; and the marriage was de-
ferred only until kampei returned from
a campaign against a rebel prince, in
which lie was follow his lord, his father
beng too old to take the field.
When the young man called on the
sisters in order to say adieu, he was
mortified by O-Suba's manner. which
seemed 70 show that she regarded his
absence as a reprIeve; and his face be-
trayed bis feelings.
'Do not look thus, good Hamper.
before your cummanderl' she said
laugLmgIy. "He will think you a
coward. Go and win booty and come
back covered with glory. Who would
not be "a soldier rather than a mean far
mer?r she cried with animation. "a
warrior a gentleman, has his pocket
full OF urilht silver and is esteemed by
his lord. Go, kampei; shall desplse
you if you heSitstePi
KampeI was stung by her tones and
rose hastily. A deep sigh reached him,
and on turning around he saw Niya
sitting m a corner of the room, her
face buried in the loose sleeves of her
robe.
Farewell, Niya," he said.
y sob rose in the girls throat as SHE
replied, Farewell, hampei. And re-
member" she faltered, "that if any
thing occurs to you, I've shall be
brokeu-hearted."
"GOU Will not forget me, O-Subap
It Will cheer me to know that"
81 shall not forget YOU" she said
impateutly; and the young man left,
catching a glance rs he closed the gar
den gate OF O-Suba waving a gay
adIeu, and of Niya with her face hid
den IN her hands.
One day, few months after Kam-
pets departure, his mother called at
the cottage, aud after relating pitiful
tale Of bad harvests, poverty and debt,
said that her husband, who was in fee
. hia LAu|Hh VNs.,Fffl -. TaF - WNrfaAfn ~
she could not obtain eighty riyos, and
she begged O-Suba, as her sons be.
trotLed, % at least lend that sum to
her. o subj treated the poor woman
harshly, refused the money and re-
minded her visitor that as presents are
not yet exchanged their marriage must
not be regarded as certain.
NIya IN vain urged her aunt to apply
a portion Of her little fortune TO the
farmers relief. Her relatives were
obturate, and the old woman was going
away sadly, when the younger girl
spraug up. thrust her feet into her
sandals and hurried after the visitor,
oyertaklng her before she reached the
gate.
when must you have the moneyP''
she said.
within three days, Niya."
"lou shall have It" said the girl;
and escaping from the thanks and
blessings Of the old woman. she re-
turned 20 the house. She threw her.
self on the mat in the corner, clasped
her hands and puckered her brow
thoughttully.
Suddenly she uttered a joyous cry.
Lue screens were drawn back. leaving
lle whole front of the house open; and
Nlya saw a pair OF swallows fly into
tHe room and perch on the space be-
tween the wall and the ceiling, chlrping
anu chattering together busily.
See, sister, the pretty birds arr
gong to build; good fortune will bt
ours. Sh-h-hl Dear O-Suba, dc
not disturb them, and she laid her hand
lnploringly on her sisters arm a!
O-Suba laughed at her enthusiasm.
Nya sat there eagerly watching the
movements of the birds and their many
nights 10 and fro while building their
nest.
Her relatives went out soon afte
and Nlya, after long look at the still
OuSy swallows, dressed herself and Wen
Out. too. When O-Suba and her aun
returned Niya was not at home and i
was long before they saw her face.
When the army to which Kampe
belonged was disbanded his comrade
gave themselves up to revelry, Will
he, eager to see O-Suba and anxious L
see about his parents, of whose trouble
ne had heard, FASTENED homeward.
lie was within a short days journe
OF hls native village, when toward sur
set he reached tea house bearing ol
one OF the posts the sing "Chaya OF tn
Nerdant Cherry Blossom" The screen
forming the front were thrown back
showing the whole inside of the house
div.ded into apartments by movabl
q Partitions. and in one of the rooms
number of gentlemen retainers" 50
Crinklngi their songs reaching th
4 laSsers by mingled with the noise {
their quarrels.
As hampei cast away outside d
yeIanda his dusty sandals some Of Ii
female attendants ran out To meet hill
with cries of welcome.
Good afternoon, sirl Be goo
enough to walk inside and rest, sil
lhe sun Is hot, the roads are parche
allU Won mnsf Ia lfnns